Hand held exercise device

ABSTRACT

Exercise device for developing coordination, muscle tone, and joint mobility has a single spherical member disposed more than 50 percent of its diameter and in freely rotating engagement within the hemispherical concavity of a concave retaining member. The face surface of the retaining member opposite the concavity is in the form of a projection fitting the palm of a semiflexed human hand. One side surface of the retaining member is flat.

Unite States Patent Inventor Virgil A. Place i405 Paio Alto Office Center, Palo Alto, Calif. 9430i Appl. No. 872,555

Filed Oct. 30, 1969 Patented Nov. 23, 1971 HAND HELD EXERCISE DEVICE 2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 272/57 D, 272/57 R int. Cl A63b 2.3/00 Field of Search 272/57, 60, 79, 8O

[56] Reierences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1963,956 6/1934 Craig 272/57 3,351,353 11/1967 Weitzner 272/57 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Richard Dror An0rney-Steven D. Goldby ABSTRACT: Exercise device for developing coordination. muscle tone, and joint mobility has a single spherical member disposed more than 50 percent of its diameter and in freely rotating engagement within the hemispherical concavity of a concave retaining member. The face surface of the retaining member opposite the concavity is in the form of a projection fitting the palm of a semiflexed human hand. One side surface oi'the retaining member is flat.

PATENTEU 23 197i 3. 622, l 52 INVENTOR.

Virgil A. Place Attorney HAND HELD EXERCISE DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in exercise devices and more especially to a portable exercise device for developing coordination, muscle tone, and joint mobility.

Various specific devices have been known and in general use for the development of muscle strength. However, there has long existed a need for a device that can be utilized to develop not only strength, but coordination of the more proximal muscles of the extremities, as well as the muscles of the trunkv Many devices previously proposed for this purpose are not easily portable, are not aesthetically appealing, lack durability, and are exceptionally expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a durable, portable, and inexpensive exercise device.

Another object of this invention is to provide an exercise device for developing a wide range of desirable body capacities, including coordination, muscle tone, and joint mobility.

ln attaining these objects, one feature of this invention resides in an exercise device comprising at least one spherical member in freely rotating engagement with a concave retaining member, the retaining member having, oppositely disposed from its concave surface, means for releasably engaging the device with an extremity of the human body.

Other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention, and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. I is a side view of the exercise device of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the exercise device of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view, partially in cross section, of the exercise device of the invention for use with the hand;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view, partially in cross section, of the exercise device of the invention for use in engagement with the knee; and

F IG. 5 is a schematic back view of the exercise device of the invention adapted for use on the foot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the exercise device of the invention adapted for use in the human hand 11, having thumb I2, index finger 13, and palm 14. Exercise device 10 has a sphere freely rotating within concave retaining member 16. To prevent sphere 15 from becoming dislodged from the concavity, terminal portions 17 of concave retaining member 16 fit tightly about the circumference of sphere I5 and sphere 15 is located within the concavity of retaining member 16 to an extent greater than one-half of the diameter of sphere 15.

Surface 18 of concave retaining member 16 is shaped to comfortably engage palm 14 of human hand II, when the hand is in a semiflexed position, as shown. The bottom outer surface I9 of exercise device 10 is flared so that the fingers may press upon it for comfortable retention in use. In another embodiment (not shown), the sides of the exercise device are vertical so that the fingers of the hand may grasp the device at equal contact on its circumference.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. I, one side surface 20 of the exercise device is flattened, so that the device can be easily and conveniently seated on a flat surface, such as a floor or table. Flattened surface 20 also contributes to the ability to maintain the device in the hand for it may be held either in the distal position of the palm to stabilize it and control rotation or it may be held toward the proximal side of the palm so that the fingers grasp the opposed circular surface ofthe device.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the inside surface of retaining member 16 can be provided with a series of grooves 21 to minimize frictional engagement with sphere 15.

One manner of using device 10 will be described. An exercise device, as illustrated in FIG. I, is grasped in the palm of each hand, with the user in a kneeling position with his knees on the floor. Placing sphere 15 of each exercise device in contact with the floor adjacent to his knees, the user gradually moves his arms forward and gradually extends his arms to the point that his chest comes to the floor, and in doing so, places his weight upon the spheres. On contraction of the shoulder girdle muscles and swinging upwards, the user returns to the kneeling position. These motions are repeated several times. Because of the universal nature of the exercise device, the user may extend his anns in any direction while at the same time bearing the weight of his body on the shoulders and hence markedly increase coordination by varying the extent of extension of one arm or the other to as by the shoulder socket range of motion. In this activity, strength and coordination are developed in the hands, as well as the forearms, upper arms, pectoralus and shoulder girdle muscles.

The exercise device of this invention can be designed for engagement with body members other than the hand. Thus, FIG. 4 illustrates a modified exercise device 30 of the invention adapted for releasable engagement to a human knee 31. Device 30 is comprised of a sphere 32 freely rotating within a concave retaining member 33. Bottom edges 34 of retaining member 33 maintain sphere 32 and prevent it from being removed from the device. The top surface 35 of device 30 contains a slight concavity, preferably padded, for comfortable engagement with knee 3I. With this device, the individual can develop the coordination and strength of the upper thigh muscles and muscles of the hip area when the device is used simultaneously with the device illustrated in FIG. I and described above.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the exercise device 40 of the invention can be attached to human foot 41 and placed approximately at the ball of the foot. Exercise device 40 contains sphere 43 within concave retaining member 44 having lower edges 45 retaining sphere 43. Upper surface 46 of retaining member 44 is shaped for comfortable engagement with the bottom surface of foot 41. Strap or clamp 47 encircles foot 4] to maintain the device in place. The device of FIG. 5 is useful in developing the full coordination necessary for accurate balance in the lower legs and, at the same time, in developing the full coordination and muscular strength required through the upper thigh to maintain position while exercising through various rotation and stooping activities.

The exercise device of the invention can be formed from a wide variety of materials. Thus, the sphere is formed of a hard, solid material which will not scratch or mar surfaces and which can be cast or machined to a smooth spherical shape. Suitable materials include metals, woods, and synthetic resins, especially phenolic resins. The concave retaining member can be made of wood, metal, or synthetic resins, such as phenolic resins, polypropylene, polymethylmethacrylate, etc. Preferably, at least the inside surface of the concave retaining member is formed of a self-lubricating synthetic resin, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, to enhance rotation of the sphere within the concavity.

Dimensions of the device can vary widely, depending on the area of the body with which used and the size of the user. For hand held devices, the spheres usually are I to 3 inches in diameter.

While the device has been illustrated and described as being formed from a single sphere within a concave retaining member, a plurality of spheres can be used. Thus, the device can be comprised of three spheres within a concave retaining member, each of the spheres being located in the same plane. Use of three spheres instead of one decreases the skill required to use the exercise device and is especially preferred at the early stages of training with the device of this invention. When a single sphere is used, the concavity within the retaining member can be hemispherical in shape, as shown in FIG. 3 or can have a dome as shown in H65. 1 and 2. When a plurality of spheres are employed, the concavity may take various other shapes.

Thus, this invention provides an exercise device well adapted for use in programs of developing muscle tone, joint mobility, and coordination. The device is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, portable, aesthetically appealing and durable. The device can be successfully used in a stimulating program of exercise to develop many areas of the body.

While the invention has been described and illustrated and pointed out with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various substitutions and changes and omissions in the form and details of the device illustrated can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. it is the intention, therefore,

that the invention be limited only by the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An exercise device for developing coordination, muscle tone and joint mobility comprising a single spherical member disposed more than 50 percent of its diameter and in freely rotating engagement within a hemispherical concavity of a concave retaining member, the face surface of said retaining member opposite said concavity being in the form of a projection fitting the palm of a semiflexed human hand, and one side surface of said retaining member being flat.

2. The exercise device as defined in claim 1 wherein there are a series of grooves in said hemispherical concavity of said concave retaining member. 

1. An exercise device for developing coordination, muscle tone and joint mobility comprising a single spherical member disposed more than 50 percent of its diameter and in freely rotating engagement within a hemispherical concavity of a concave retaining member, the face surface of said retaining member opposite said concavity being in the form of a projection fitting the palm of a semiflexed human hand, and one side surface of said retaining member being flat.
 2. The exercise device as defined in claim 1 wherein there are a series of grooves in said hemispherical concavity of said concave retaining member. 